2. Background
The surveys are a pivotal element of the PMETB Quality Framework which help those involved with training ensure it is delivered to the national standards required.
Responses help to inform the regulator, and the medical profession, of on-the-ground experiences and views of training enabling a more holistic approach to developing policy and identifying emerging trends.
The National Training Surveys for 2010 are about to launch across the UK. They were introduced as part of the PMETB Quality Framework to assure training in the UK is delivered to the standards set by the regulator.

3. The surveys receive joint support from COPMeD, the GMC and PMETB.
Surveys support
The surveys receive joint support from COPMeD, the GMC and PMETB.
Each of these represent key groups within the medical sector and play a major role in influencing the delivery of education and training.
As you can see these organisations incorporate deaneries, specialty including GP interests, and medical regulation.

4. Quality assurance, review and evaluation
Surveys questions
The questions cover:
Patient safety
Quality assurance, review and evaluation
Delivery of curriculum, including assessment
Support and development of trainees, trainers and local faculty
Educational resources and capacity
Through questions in these areas such as patient safety and educational resources, the surveys are able to capture an annual snapshot of training. Responses to these can influence future standards of quality assurance.
And on a personal level, your responses can help directly address concerns raised within your local area.

5. Benefits of the surveys
Responses delivered directly to the regulator
Help improve the quality of training delivered
Help prepare for the future needs of training
Highlight areas of notable practice
Generate a snapshot of training on both national and local levels
Outcomes such as a direct delivery of your responses to the regulator and generating a snapshot of the nation’s training help to influence the future direction of training regulation and assure the standards set for training not only meet, but exceed the expectations of training within the medical profession, among patients and the greater public.

6. Along with other evidence your survey responses help to…

7. Highlight where improved resources can help with your training
For example better guidance from the regulator or more educational support from your LEP or deanery

8. Inform the development of future policy

9. Identify concerns in training such as undermining

10. These are just a few examples of the changes your responses can prompt

11. “The surveys are not paper exercises” Mr John Smith, Chair Surveys Working Group
The surveys data join other evidence such as approval data, annual deanery reports (ADRs), annual specialty reports (ASRs), and visits to deaneries.
The 2008/09 survey brought to the attention of those who can action change incidents of:
• patient safety
• bullying
• discrimination
The survey results do not on their own stimulate a response to a concern, but looked at with other evidence such as ADRs and ASRs can prompt direct such as a triggered visit.
Issues such as bullying and discrimination were addressed by referring the matter to the local postgraduate dean and/or training programme directors. The incidence of such problems remains small but survey responses still ensure a response from the regulator.

12. What you need to do
Generic training questions – general questions about the training you are involved with
Specialty specific questions – customised questions delivered to respondents within each specialty
The surveys are delivered online and consist of a series of multiple choice questions with opportunity for further comment. They comprise of generic training questions and specialty specific questions.

13. Trainee survey receipt = compliance with ARCP/ RITA requirements
What you need to do
Trainee survey receipt = compliance with ARCP/ RITA requirements
The survey will take around 20 minutes to complete
Trainees will need to present this receipt as part of their ARCP or RITA requirements.
The average time suggested to complete the survey is 20 minutes and this needs to be completed in one sitting.

14. Available in July/ August 2010
The 2010 reports
Available in July/ August 2010
The online surveys reporting tool for survey results is located at:
Up-to-date information about the surveys is available at:

15. What can I do with the Reporting Tool?
Using the online surveys reporting tool you are able to download reports by:
Local education provider
Deanery
Specialty
Programme
Foundation school
Each type of report covers a different type of respondent group. As you can see these are by LEP, deanery, specialty, programme and foundation school.
Each level can be accessed by clicking through or selecting an option from the drop down list.

16. How is your identity protected?
It matters that you give your full and honest views. Individual responses are held confidentially and survey results are reported anonymously.
However with your explicit permission…
your details will be used to follow up concerns flagged by your survey responses. Bear in mind the survey provides the opportunity for further comment and this may be your chance to prompt action that can direct a positive change in your setting.
It matters that you give your full and honest views. No results will be published where there are less than three respondents in a given LEP to ensure the anonymity of respondents.
You will be presented the option of giving permission to be contacted for further investigation into a concern raised by a survey response.

17. National analysis report
The analysis report for the National Training Surveys 2010 will be launched in Autumn.
The report outlines key findings and national trends generated from survey responses.
The National Survey summary report will launch in Autumn.
It shows the biggest issues trainers and trainees have told us about this year.

18. How are the data used?
Deaneries and local education providers have to respond to survey findings via the Annual Deanery Reports (ADRs)
Trainees/ trainers can see whether their views and training experiences are shared on a national level
Colleges can use the issues identified to prompt discussion and inform future developments
The report is used by multiple bodies to serve a variety of purposes.

19. What next for trainees?
invitations will be sent from 1 April to trainees in the following groups:
• Foundation trainees (F1 and F2 trainees on the Foundation Programme) • Core trainees • Higher specialty including SpR and GP trainees regardless of setting • FTSTA trainees • LAT trainees • Military trainees – all military trainees working in NHS organisations and within the services should be included • Trainees in Clinical Lecturer and Academic Clinical Fellowship posts approved by PMETB (only fill one survey for both specialty and academic post of GP programme) • Trainees working for non-NHS organisations for instance trainees in Occupational medicine, Pharmaceutical medicine and Palliative medicine are all included.
If you are a trainee on this list, then you need to take part in the survey. The list is also available on the surveys website.

20. What next for trainees?
The following trainees do not need to take part:
• Trainees on maternity leave on the census date • Trainees on Out Of Programme Training (OOPT) or Out Of Programme Research (OOPR) on the census date • Dentists • Doctors who have been awarded their CCT but are awaiting a consultant post • Public health practitioner trainees who are not medically qualified
And if you are on this list, you do not need to take part.

21. What next for trainers?
invitations will be sent from 1 April to the trainer population which includes:
All clinical supervisors
All educational supervisors; and
All approved GP trainers and GPs with foundation trainees
If you do not receive your invitation visit the surveys website at
Trainers to be surveyed include clinical supervisors, educational supervisors and all approved GP trainers and GPs with foundation trainees. For further information on the population groups or your invitation visit the surveys website.

22. Key dates
Census date – the date of the post you were in when responding to survey questions
31 March
Launch
1 April
Closes
30 June
It is important to keep in mind the census date as you fill out the survey. Many of the questions will ask you to answer according to the post you were in on the census date which is the 31st of March. Each of these questions will be marked to remind you of this date.

23. If you have any comments or queries please contact:
Further information
For additional information please visit the National Training Surveys 2010 website:
If you have any comments or queries please contact: